RIP Alan Rickman: wizard, robot, angel, sheriff, judge – but never a villain…

in Artwork, Entertainment, Movies

The entertainment world mourned the loss of a shining star on Thursday.  Alan Rickman’s passing formed a huge vacuum in the hearts of fans and friends.  From his portrayal as the heartless Hans Gruber to donning the dark robes of Professor Severus Snape, Mr. Rickman insisted, “I don’t play villains, I play interesting people.”

Just a few more of those ‘interesting people’ performed by Mr. Rickman: The Voice of God/Angel Metatron in Dogma, the voice of Marvin the Paranoid Android from Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Galaxy Quest’s Alexander Dane Judge Turpin in Sweeny Todd, Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves’ Sheriff George of Nottingham, Tybalt in Romeo & Juliet.  His distinct voice will again be heard as the Blue Caterpillar when Disney’s Alice Through the Looking Glass is released later this year, and then one final performance as Lt. General Frank Benson in the anti-terrorist drone thriller Eye in the Sky. 

Mr. Rickman’s skills as a diverse actor were eclipsed by the devotion and support he provided to friends and fellow cast members.  Daniel Radcliffe posted a touching note on Google+ upon hearing the tragic news.

“Alan Rickman is undoubtedly one of the greatest actors I will ever work with. He is also one of the [most loyal] and most supportive people I’ve ever met in the film industry. He was so encouraging of me both on set and in the years post-Potter. I’m pretty sure he came and saw everything I ever did on stage both in London and New York. He didn’t have to do that. I know other people who’ve been friends with him for much much longer than I have and they all say ‘if you call Alan, it doesn’t matter where in the world he is or how busy he is with what he’s doing, he’ll get back to you within a day.’”

Voice of God

Kevin Smith shared a more light hearted anecdote on his Facebook page:

“One of my favorite people who ever lived has died. The legendary #AlanRickman played Metatron, the Voice of God, in my 4th film #Dogma. Alan was the first non-friend who signed up to the flick, but he became a great friend in record time. In this pic, he holds the Ken doll his Dogma character’s lack of genitalia was modeled after. I’ll never forget his incredible dulcet tones guffawing at the rubber crotch makeup he was wearing: one of the greatest actors who ever lived, tickled by a cinematic lack of a dick. I loved Hans Gruber the minute I saw#DieHard but I fell in love with the soft-spoken gentle soul who brought Gruber to life. Thank you for lending a hack like me your artistry and your credibility, Alan. You were never Snape to me as much as you were the adult Harry Potter himself: a bonafide wizard who could conjure absolute magic using merely words. He was a HUGE cauldron of win, this man. I’ll miss him forever. Rest in Peace, Voice of God. Back to Heaven, where you came from…”

Fans from all over the world painted social media with quotes, images and stories.  Harry Potter fan Tonny Hranol posted these beautiful wand images on his Facebook page, “I did things in case someone wants to use it” – and many did.

wands

Others found solace in clips and quotes from the various characters Mr. Rickman brought to life.

At the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Orlando, flowers appeared at the door to the Potions classroom – appropriately: lilies.

door Haunted DimensionsDoor 2 Haunted Dimensions

Alan Rickman will be remembered. . .Always.

(Thank you to Haunted Dimensions for the use of their images, posted with permission)

 

 

 

 

 

 

in Artwork, Entertainment, Movies

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